How to build a histogram in Excel

The ideal solution for visualizing data in a table is, undoubtedly, a histogram. The type of such a chart is able to the ordinary user to convey the basic essence of all values without even having familiarized with them.

The article will analyze the histogram in Excel. How to make it, you will find out when you have finished reading the article. In addition, all the nuances that arise during the construction process will be considered. Also you will get acquainted with four different options, available showing how the histogram is built in Excel.

Variants of histogram construction in Excel

The most popular table editor offers the following options for building a histogram:

• Simple histogram;
• Histogram with accumulation;
• Using the analysis package;
• With conditional formatting of cells.

It should be noted right away that all of the above options can be executed by a separate object in the table or be part of it. Well, now let's get down to the analysis of how the histogram is built in Excel.

Method 1: A simple histogram

A simple histogram in Excel is more commonly used. Its construction does not take much time, and the process does not require a deep knowledge of the program.

Initially, you will need to highlight in the table those data that will be used in the future in the chart. After that, go to the "Insert" tab and click on the "Diagrams" button. A submenu opens with all available chart types. In our case, click on the "Histogram" tab and select its type in the drop-down menu. It is worth noting that in each row, simple histograms are the first, after them histograms with accumulation are already located.

So, as soon as you click on the diagram you like, the graph of the program will directly display the graph with the data previously located in the selected area.

Before you built a histogram in Excel. How to make an inscription in it, you will learn a little later. For now, it's worthwhile to say that adjustments can be made using tools that are in the group of tabs "Working with diagrams".

Method 2: Stacked histogram

Now a method will be disassembled, showing how the accumulative histogram is built in Excel. You can see an example in this article.

In fact, its creation is no different from a simple method, but there is one nuance that should be highlighted. Before you start working with the histogram, you need to delete the name of the first column, if any, otherwise it will not work.

Now you can start creating. Just like in the previous method, you need to select a part of the table with the data that will be used for the construction. After that, go to the "Insert" tab, on the toolbar in the drop-down "Charts" menu, point to "Histograms" and select the cumulative type. It is worth recalling that in each row it is located on the right side.

After clicking on one of the elements on the sheet, a corresponding accumulative histogram will appear in Excel.

As in the last time, you can make some changes to the chart using the tools in the "Working with charts" tab group. By the way, in both cases, to change the inscription in the graph, you just need to double-click on it and set a new name.

Method 3: Using the analysis package

From more trivial methods we turn to those that are more complicated. Few people know that with the help of add-ins programs can create a histogram, but this can be done.

The first step is to enter the superstructures themselves. To do this, click on the "File" tab and on the sidebar select "Options". Then go to the category "Add-ons."

Pay attention to the drop-down list "Management". In it, you need to select "Excel Add-ins" and click the "Go" button. The Add-ons window appears. Put a tick in the box next to the "Analysis package" and click "OK."

Now go back to your table, select the data area and go to the "Data" tab. In this tab, you need to click on the "Data Analysis" button, which is located in the "Analysis" area.

In the window that appears, select "Histogram" from the list and click "OK" - a window will appear in which you need to specify the parameters. In the "Input interval" field, the area of the data table must be specified. If you previously selected it, the value will be automatically entered. Next, check the box next to "Output graph" and just above, specify where to draw this chart. Click "OK" button.

Method 4: Conditional formatting of cells

In order to compile a histogram in this way, you need to select a region with data and click on the "Conditional Formatting" button in the "Home" tab. In the drop-down list, move the cursor to the "Histograms" item and select one of the favorite chart types from the menu.

After that, the formatted cells are filled with a scale - this is the histogram. As it is easy to guess, the scale displays the quantitative weight of the data that is in it.

Conclusion

There were four ways in which you can create a histogram in Excel. All of them are good in their own way and fit for different needs, so check out each one in more detail and select the required one.